Richard Michelson named Northampton's 6th poet laureate

Photo by Michael S. Gordon / The RepublicanRichard Michelson, Northampton's newest poet lauriat, is seen in the R. Michelson Galleries with a book he wrote about African American golfer and golf course designer William Powell.

Michelson, whose far-flung involvement in the arts extends from his many children’s books and poetry collections to R. Michelson Galleries, one of the city’s most prominent art galleries, was named by the Arts Council this week to succeed Lenelle Moise.

Michelson is the sixth poet laureate since former judge W. Michael Ryan proposed the post in 2001, joining Martin Espada, Leslea Newman, Janel Aalfs, Jack Gilbert and Moise. Traditionally, the poet laureate has organized events around poetry with an eye towards bringing the art form to adults and young people in the city.

Michelson is the author of more than 20 books, including his most recent poetry collection, “Battles and Lullabies.” His subject matter has ranged from the fantastic to the horrid as he has written about everything from dragons to the Holocaust.

His book “Twice as Good” tells the story of William Powell, a black man who was denied the opportunity to play golf but built and owned his own golf course. It earned a book jacket blurb from President Barack Obama. “Lipman Pike: America’s First Home Run King” focuses on the first Jewish player in major league baseball.

Michelson has won numerous honors from Jewish organizations and has been on the New York Tines’ Notable Children’s Book list. He is also a board member of Poetry Advocates for Children and Young Adults.

Reached by phone on Thursday from Grand Rapids, Michigan, where he was speaking at the Festival of Faith and Writing at Calvin College, Michelson said he is honored by the designation and already contemplating how to fulfill his duties.

“I’ve got some big shoes to fill,” he said.

Michelson said his talk at Calvin College centered on “writing outside your comfort zone” and would touch on writing as a white Jew about blacks and Christians.

Noting that he has a finger in almost all the arts, Michelson said he hopes to do a lot of “cross-fertilization.” One idea he has is to incorporate poetry in the Arts Night Out, a regular event at his and other city art galleries. He also hopes to reach out to young people.

Michelson is scheduled to give his inaugural reading as poet laureate at Forbes Library on May 3.